Care & Protection of Marina
Cases that cite this one
6 later published cases cite this decision.
- ADOPTION OF JADEN (And Three Companion Cases). (Mass. App. Ct. 2024)
- Adoption of Rory (Mass. App. Ct. 2011)
- In re Adoption of Vance (Mass. App. Ct. 2018)
- In re Adoption Zosha (Mass. App. Ct. 2017)
- Adoption of Imelda (Mass. App. Ct. 2008)
- Adoption of Holly (Mass. 2000)
This list shows which later cases cite this one. It does not say how they treated it, and no review of that has been done. Not a substitute for Shepard’s or KeyCite — verify before relying.
Opinion of the Court
Although the petitioner and his counsel participated in the initial stage of the underlying care and protection proceeding, the petitioner has apparently not participated in any of the numerous later sessions, including those pertaining to the subsequent request of the Department of Social Services (department) to dispense with parental consent to adoption. Counsel for the petitioner now protests that petitioner’s nonaction is not a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel. We need not. reach the question whether that is the appropriate standard in these circumstances, for we focus on another fundamental aspect — the petitioner’s apparent absolute abandonment of participation in any remaining termination of parental rights or care and protection proceedings.
The single justice, who cited the petitioner’s failure to file an objection to the amended pleadings; failure to appear on the return date or for other recent court proceedings; and failure to communicate with either the depart
Judgment affirmed.
The case was submitted on the papers filed, accompanied by a memorandum of law.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.